Package for Smoking Articles

ABSTRACT

A package for smoking articles comprising a body ( 3 ) and a lid ( 17 ) hingedly connected to the body to enclose a space defined by the body when the lid is closed, the lid including an end portion and a wall extending from the end portion that overlaps a face of the body when closed, wherein a recess ( 68 ) is formed in the wall and a tab ( 60, 61 ) extends from said face, such that, when the lid is closed, the tab locates in said recess.

The present invention relates to a package, and to blanks for making thepackage. In particular, the invention relates to hinged-lid packages forsmoking articles, but is not limited thereto.

As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes smokeable productssuch as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco,tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobaccosubstitutes and also heat-not-burn products but is not limited thereto.The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flowdrawn by the smoker.

Hinged-lid packets are well known to those skilled in the art and are inwidespread use in the tobacco industry for holding cigarettes in a crushresistant manner. An example of such a hinged-lid packet is shown in GB1 431 173 and generally holds ten to twenty individual cigarettes in apredetermined arrangement. Hinged lid packets are typically producedfrom a pair of cardboard blanks.

A first blank forms the outer shell comprising a main body of a frontwall, a rear wall, a pair of side-walls extending between the front andrear walls, a base, and a lid hingedly connected to the rear wall, and asecond blank forms an insert or inner shell that is generally mounted tothe inside of the front and side walls of the outer shell to projectabove the outer walls and is exposed when the lid is open. The exposedportion of the inner shell projecting above the walls is covered byfront and side walls of the lid portion and is used to generate a sealbetween the main body and the lid portion when the lid is closed. Inparticular, the inner shell attempts to retain the lid in a closedposition by the inner surfaces of the lid front and side wallsfrictionally engaging with the exposed surface of the inner shell

However, a problem with conventional packages is that the inner shelldoes not sufficiently act upon the lid to retain the lid in a closedposition, in particular due to the inner shell being mounted to theinner surface of the outer shell and so the inner shell does not projectagainst the lid. In an attempt to overcome this problem, it is known bythose skilled in the art to provide tabs or ears which are formed fromthe inner shell and project outwardly towards the inner surface of thelid when the lid is closed. Such tabs assist in frictionally holding thelid closed by acting against the inner surface of the lid.

A disadvantage of the above arrangement is that the tabs do not actually‘lock’ the lid in a fully closed position and a user is not providedwith any tactile indication or feedback that the lid has been fullyclosed. The lid is also prone to ‘yawning’ or ‘smiling’ wherein the lidis disposed in a partially open position.

Additionally, in a conventional package, the tabs are permanentlypressed against the inner surface of the lid when the lid is closedwhich may cause the tabs to deteriorate and become ineffective as theymay be bent due to forces and pressure acting on the exterior of theouter shell.

The present invention seeks to provide a package that overcomes orsubstantially alleviates the problems with conventional hinged-lidpackages referred to above.

According to the present invention, there is provided a package forsmoking articles comprising a body and a lid hingedly connected to thebody to enclose a space defined by the body when the lid is closed, thelid including an end portion and a wall extending from the end portionthat overlaps a face of the body when closed, wherein a recess is formedin the wall and a tab extends from said face such that, when the lid isclosed, the tab locates in said recess.

Preferably, the tab and wall are configured such that they cooperatewhen the lid is opened or closed, said tab locating in the recess whenthe lid is closed.

Advantageously, the wall and the tab are configured such that the wallis resiliently deformed by the tab when the tab and wall cooperate witheach other.

In one embodiment, the wall and the tab are configured such that the tabis resiliently deformed by the wall when the tab and wall cooperate witheach other.

The wall of the lid may be a side wall that lies in a plane extendingperpendicular to an axis about which the lid rotates.

The side wall may comprise outer and inner layers and the recess may bedefined by a cut-out formed in the inner layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the cut-out extends along one edge of thewall.

Conveniently, the side wall has a first edge that extends from the endportion, the cut-out being formed along a second edge transverse to thefirst edge.

Preferably, a front wall extends from the second edge, the front wallbeing substantially perpendicular to the side wall and the end portion.

Conveniently, the side wall has a free edge, said cut-out being openended and extending to said free edge.

The cut-out may comprise first and second portions, the second portioncomprising a side face configured to guide the tab from said free edgeto the first portion of the cut-out and the side face may be arcuate.

Advantageously, the side wall has a free edge, said cut-out extendingtowards said free edge but terminating short thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the tab extends from one edge of the face ofthe body.

Preferably, the tab extends transversely from said face of the body.

Advantageously, the tab comprises a pair of tab portions separated by acut.

Preferably, the tab portions and the recess are configured such that,when the lid is in the closed position, one tab portion locates in therecess and the other tab portion cooperates with an inner surface of thewall.

The body may comprise an inner shell and an outer shell, the inner shellbeing received in the outer shell and the tab extending from the innershell such that, when the lid is closed, the wall overlaps the innershell.

The inner shell may comprise a front wall and at least one side wall, aportion of the front wall and side wall being cut away such thatinterference between the inner shell and the lid is reduced when the lidis opened or closed.

The lid preferably comprises a pair of opposing walls extending fromopposing edges of the end portion that overlap corresponding opposingfaces of the body when closed, wherein each wall has a recess formedtherein and a tab extends from each face, such that, when the lid isclosed, the tabs locate in said recesses.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a packagecontaining smoking articles.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package for smoking articles inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank used to form the outer shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the blank used to form the inner shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a package for smoking articles showing atab and recess of the package for smoking articles shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package for smoking articles showing atab and recess in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the blank used to form the outer shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the blank used to form the inner shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a package for smoking articles showing atab and recess in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the blank used to form the outer shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the blank used to form the inner shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a package for smoking articles showinga tab and recess in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the blank used to form the outer shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the blank used to form the inner shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a package for smoking articles showinga tab and recess in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the blank used to form the outer shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the blank used to form the inner shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion of the blank shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a package for smoking articles showinga tab and recess in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the blank used to form the inner shell of thepackage for smoking articles shown in FIG. 18.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a package forsmoking articles according to an embodiment of the present inventioncomprising an outer shell 1 and an inner shell 2. In FIG. 2, the dottedlines denote fold lines and the solid lines denote cut-lines as willbecome apparent in the description below.

The outer shell 1 comprises a main body 3 including a body front wall 4,a body rear wall 5 (refer to FIG. 2) disposed parallel to the body frontwall 4, a pair of parallel body side walls 6,7 which extend between thebody front and rear walls 4,5, perpendicular thereto, and connecttherewith along fold lines 8 and a base 9 which extends across the lowerends 11 a-d of the body front, rear and side walls 4,5,6,7 respectivelyto enclose the main body 3 at the lower end thereof such that a smokingarticle receiving space 12 is defined by the main body 3. Upper ends14,15 of the body side walls 6,7 are formed at an incline relative tothe lower ends 11 c,11 d such that the body front wall 4 is shorter thanthe body rear wall 5. The above arrangement allows easier access to thesmoking article receiving space 12 and has additional advantages thatwill become apparent hereinafter.

The outer and inner shells 1,2 are formed from a stiff, resilientmaterial, for example a cardboard or plastic, such that the hinged lidpacket retains its shape and so that the contents disposed in thesmoking article receiving space 12 are protected.

The outer shell 1 further comprises a lid 17 which is hingedly connectedto an upper end 18 of the body rear wall 5 at a hinge line 19. The lid17 includes a lid rear wall 20 which is connected to the body rear wall5 at the hinge line 19, a lid front wall 21 disposed parallel to the lidrear wall 20, a pair of parallel lid side walls 22,23 which extendbetween the lid rear and front walls 20,21 and connect therewith alongfold lines 25 and a top 26 which extends across the upper ends 27 of thelid rear, front, and side walls 20,21,22,23 respectively to enclose thelid 17 at an upper end thereof.

Lower ends 28,29 of the lid side walls 22,23 are formed at an inclinerelative to the upper ends 27 thereof such that, when the lid 17 isrotated about the hinge line 19 so that the body front wall 4 liesparallel to the lid front wall 21, lower ends 30,28,29 of the lid frontwall 21 and lid side walls 22,23 are disposed to lie proximate andparallel to upper ends 31,14,15 of the body front wall 4 and body sidewalls 6,7 respectively. In the above described position the outer shell1 is ‘closed’ and the enclosed smoking article receiving space 12 isdefined therein.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the inner shell 2 comprises an inner shellfront wall 33 and a pair of inner shell side walls 34,35. Each innershell side wall 34,35 extends perpendicularly from the inner shell frontwall 33 at fold lines 36,37. A cut-out portion 38 is formed from anupper end 39 of the inner shell front wall 33 and extends therealong andeach inner shell side wall has upper ends 42,43. Additionally, aprotrusion 44 is formed at a lower end 45 of the inner shell front wall33.

The inner shell front and side walls 33,34,35 are fixedly mounted toinner faces of the main body front 4 and side walls 6,7 respectively.The upper ends 39,42,43 of the inner shell front and side walls 33,34,35project above the upper ends 31,14,15 of the body front and side walls4,6,7 respectively.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, the outer shell 1 is formedfrom a single blank 50 as shown in FIG. 2. Referring to the outer shellblank 50, the main body side walls 6,7 are formed from first body sideflaps 51 extending from the body front wall 4 along fold lines 8 a andsecond body side flaps 52 extending from the body rear wall 5 along foldlines 8 b. When the outer shell 1 is assembled the first body side flaps51 extending from the body front wall 4 overlap the second body sideflaps 52 extending from the body rear wall 5 and are fixedly mountedthereto by means of an adhesive to form the body side walls 6,7.

Similarly, the lid side walls 22,23 are formed from first lid side flaps53 extending from the lid front wall 21 along fold lines 25 a and secondlid side flaps 54 extending from the lid rear wall 20 along fold lines25 b. When the outer shell 1 is assembled the first lid side flaps 53extending from the lid front wall 21 overlap the second lid side flaps54 extending from the lid rear wall 20 and are fixedly mounted theretoby means of an adhesive to form the lid side walls 22,23 such that thefirst lid side flaps 53 form an outer surface of the lid side walls22,23 and the second lid side flaps 54 form an inner surface of the lidside walls 22,23.

Base flaps 55 extend from a lower end of the second body side flaps 52and are fixedly mounted to an inner face of the body base 9 to securelyform the body base 9 and mount the body base 9 to the body side walls6,7. Similarly, top flaps 56 extend from the upper end of the second lidside flaps 54 and are fixedly mounted to an inner face of the lid top26, to securely form the lid top 26 and mount the lid top 26 to the lidside walls 22,23.

A return flap 57 extends along an opposing end of the lid front wall 21to the lid top 26 and is folded and fixedly mounted to a face of the lidfront wall 21 (refer to FIG. 1). The return flap 57 provides additionalsupport for the front wall 21 and strengthens it.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, the hinged-lid packet comprises a pair oftabs 60,61 extending sideways from the inner shell side walls 34,35.Each tab 60,61 extends perpendicular to the inner shell side walls 34,35parallel to the inner shell front wall 33 and along the same planethereof. Each tab 60,61 is formed from the inner shell 2 by means of acut line 62,63 formed in the inner shell side walls 34,35. Each cut line62,63 defines the tabs 60,61 which comprise a tab outer edge 64 and apair of tab side edges 65,66. The pair of tab side edges 65,66 extendfrom the tab outer edge 64 to the respective fold line 36,37 such thatwhen the inner shell side walls 34,35 are folded with respect to theinner shell front wall 33, the tabs 60,61 extend therefrom. Each tab60,61 has rounded corners (not shown). The tabs 60,61 are thereforeformed from the same material as the inner shell 1 and so are formedfrom a resilient material, for reasons that will become apparenthereinafter.

A pair of recesses 68 are formed in the opposing inner surfaces of thepair of lid side walls 22,23. Each recess 68 is formed from a cut-outformed in the second lid side flaps 54 such that a portion of the firstlid side flap 53 communicates with an inner region of the lid 17. Eachrecess 68 is formed proximate to an edge of the second lid side flaps54, such that when the lid 17 is assembled each recess 68 comprises arecess base 69 formed by the first lid side flap 53, first and secondrecess side faces 70,71 formed by the edges of the cut out formed in thesecond lid side flaps 54, a third recess side face 72 formed by an innersurface 73 of the lid front wall 21, and wherein each recess 68 extendsto the respective lower end 28,29 of the lid side walls 22,23 such thatthe recess 68 has an open end 74. The lower ends 28,29 of the lid sidewalls 22,23 each have a free edge, wherein there is no other wall orportion extending from said edge.

Operation of the hinged-lid packet will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 1 to 4. When the inner and outer shells 1,2 are assembled toform the hinged lid-packet and define the enclosed smoking articlereceiving space 12, smoking articles (not shown) are disposed in thepacket. The lid 17 is then hingedly rotatable to open and close theouter shell 1 such that the smoking articles (not shown) are accessibleto a user.

When the lid 17 is rotated from its ‘open’ position, wherein theenclosed smoking article receiving space is accessible and the lid rearwall 20 is rotated to face the body rear wall 5, to its ‘closed’position wherein the body front wall 4 lies parallel to the lid frontwall 21 and lower ends 30,28,29 of the lid front wall 21 and lid sidewalls 22,23 are disposed to lie proximate and parallel to upper ends31,14,15 of the body front wall 4 and body side walls 6,7 respectively,the tabs 60,61 contact and communicate with the inner surface of thefirst lid side flaps 53, which form the lid side walls 22,23, such thateach respective tab 60,61 and lid side walls 22,23 are urged againsteach other due to the inner shell side walls 34,35 being fixedly mountedto the outer shell side walls 6,7 and due to the resilience of thepacket.

Therefore, the lid side walls 22,23 are resiliently deformed by the tabs60,61 and the tabs 60,61 provide resistance against the lid 17 andrestrict the movement thereof. Alternatively, the tabs 60,61 areresiliently deformed when each tab 60,61 co-operates with its respectivelid side wall 22,23.

If a user continues to rotate the lid 17 into its ‘closed’ position, therecesses 68 are moved relative to the tabs 60,61 such that the tabs60,61 locate therein. As the tabs 60,61 and lid side walls 22,23co-operate and are urged thereagainst each other, then the tabs 60,61spring into the respectives recesses 68. This causes an audible sound tobe produced as the outer edge 64 of each tab 60,61 is released by thefirst recess side face 70 and springs into the respective recess 68. Aseach tab 60,61 is then located in a respectively recess then the lid 17is securely held in a ‘closed’ position by each tab 60,61 locatingagainst the respective first recess side face 70. The audible soundproduced is in the form of a ‘click’ as each tab 60,61 springs into therespective recess 68 and impacts upon a surface therein. The audiblesound indicates to the user that the lid 17 is securely held in a‘closed’ position.

In a situation where a user requires access to the enclosed smokingarticle space 12 then the operation is reversed. The lid is rotated intoan open position and each tab 60,61 contacts the respective first recessside face 70. As an additional force is applied each tab 60,61 or sidewall 22,23 is resiliently deformed such that each tab 60,61 is releasedfrom the respective recess 68 and the lid is rotatable into its ‘open’position.

Another exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7. It is noted that the outer and inner shells 1,2 aregenerally the same as those described in the above exemplary embodimentand so further description of these will be omitted, however, in thisembodiment the recesses formed in the lid 17 are different.

In this embodiment, a recess 76 is formed in each opposing inner surfaceof the pair of lid side walls 22,23. Each recess 76 is formed from acut-out formed in the second lid side flaps 54 such that a portion ofthe first lid side flap 53 communicates with an inner region of the lid17. Each recess 76 is formed proximate to an edge of the second lid sideflaps 54, such that when the lid 17 is assembled the recess comprises arecess base 77 formed by the first lid side flap 53, first and secondrecess side faces 78,79 formed by the edges of the cut out formed in thesecond lid side flaps 54, a third recess side face 80 formed by an innersurface 73 of the lid front wall 21, and additionally a fourth recessside face 81 is formed proximate to the respective lower end 28,29 ofthe lid side walls 22,23, such that each recess 76 is fully enclosed anddoes not extend to the free edge.

An advantage of the recess 76 discussed above is that the recess 76 isfully enclosed such that it cannot be seen from the respective lower end28,29 of the lid side walls 22,23.

During operation of the hinged-lid packet according to the aboveembodiment, when the lid 17 is in its ‘closed’ position, the pair of tabside edges 65,66 locate proximate to the second and fourth recess sidefaces 79,81.

Another exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference toFIGS. 8 to 10. It is noted that the outer and inner shells 1,2 aregenerally the same as those described in the above exemplary embodimentsand so further description of these will be omitted herein, however, inthis embodiment the tabs formed in the inner shell 2 are different.

In this exemplary embodiment, the tabs 60,61 are formed substantially asbefore, however, each tab 60,61 is divided into first and second tabportions 83,84 formed by a cut line 85. The cut line extends from thefold line 37, although the tabs 60,61 are not folded, to the tab outeredge 64. Although the tab portions 83,84 are shown in this embodiment tobe equally sized, it will be understood that the tab portions 83,84 mayhave different dimensions dependent on the positioning of the cut line85.

Further, in this embodiment the length of the recesses 68 are determinedsuch that a first tab portion 83 does not locate in the respectiverecess 68 when the lid is rotated into its ‘closed’ position, but sothat the second tab portion 84 does extend therein. Subsequently, whenthe lid is in its ‘closed’ position, each first tab portion 83 locatesagainst a section 82 of the respective lid side wall 22,23 and urgesthere against or the respective lid side wall 22,23 is urged against thefirst tab portion 83.

One advantage of dividing a tab 60,61 into separate first and second tabportions 83,84 is that it allows one tab portion 84 to locate in therespective recess 68 whilst the other tab portion 83 provides resistanceagainst the lid 17 and ensures a close fit therewith. Further, itreduces the number of cuts required to form two separate tabs (notshown) on each inner shell side wall 34,35 to produce the same effect.

Although in the above exemplary embodiment the tabs 60,61 are shownsplit, such that the second tab portion 84 locates in the recess 17 andthe first tab portion 83 locates against a section 82 of the respectivelid side wall 22,23 when the lid 17 is in a ‘closed’ position, it willbe understood by a person skilled in the art that the invention is notlimited thereto, and that a pair of tabs may be formed to extend fromeach side of the inner shell front wall on each side distal to eachother, wherein one tab locates in a slot and the other tab locatesagainst the inner side wall face when the lid 17 is closed.

Another exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference toFIGS. 11 to 13. It is noted that the outer and inner shells 1,2 aregenerally the same as those described in the above exemplary embodimentsand so further description of these will be omitted herein.

In this exemplary embodiment, the tabs 60,61 are formed substantially asdescribed in the embodiment described above with each tab 60,61 dividedinto first and second tab portions 83,84 formed by a cut line 85.

Further, in this embodiment, the pair of recesses 76 are formed in theopposing inner surfaces of the pair of lid side walls 22,23. However,each recess 76 is formed proximate to an edge of the second lid sideflaps 54, such that when the lid 17 is assembled the recess comprises arecess base 77 formed by the first lid side flap 53, first and secondrecess side faces 78,79 formed by the edges of the cut out formed in thesecond lid side flaps 54, a third recess side face 80 formed by an innersurface 73 of the lid front wall 21, and additionally a fourth recessside face 81 is formed proximate to the respective lower end 28,29 ofthe lid side walls 22,23 such that each recess 76 is fully enclosed anda section 86 of lid side wall is formed between the fourth recess sideface 81 and the lower end 28,29 of the respective lid side wall 22,23.

Therefore, when the lid 17 is rotated into its ‘closed’ position, eachfirst tab portion 83 extends into its respective recess 76, however, thesecond tab portion 84 does not locate in the respective recess 68because it locates against a section 86 of the respective lid side wall22,23 and urges there against or the respective lid side wall 22,23 isurged against the second tab portion 84.

Another exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference toFIGS. 14 to 17. It is noted that the outer and inner shells 1,2 aregenerally the same as those described in the exemplary embodiment shownin FIGS. 1 to 4 and so further description of these will be omittedherein, however, in this embodiment the recesses formed in the opposinginner surfaces of the pair of lid side walls 22,23 are different.

In this exemplary embodiment, the recesses 90 are formed substantiallyas before, however, in this embodiment each recess 90 is divided intoinner and outer recess portions 91,92. Each recess 90 is formed from acut-out formed on the second lid side flaps 54 such that a portion ofthe first lid side flap 53 communicates with an inner region of the lid17 to form a recess base 69. Each recess 90 is formed proximate to anedge of the second lid side flaps 54, such that when the lid 17 isassembled each recess comprises a third recess side face 72 formed by aninner surface 73 of the lid front wall 21.

However, in this embodiment the inner recess portion 91 comprises afirst side face 93 and a second side face 94 formed by the edges of thecut-out. The second side face 94 of the inner recess portion 91 extendsparallel to the third recess side face 72. The inner recess portion 91communicates with the outer recess portion 92 at an opposing end to thefirst side face 93 of the inner recess portion 91. The outer recessportion 92 extends from the inner recess portion 91 to the respectivelower end 28,29 of the lid side walls 22,23 such that the outer recessportion 92 has an open end 95.

The outer recess portion 92 comprises an arcuate side face 96 extendingfrom the second side face 94 of the inner recess portion 91 and opposingthe third recess side face 72. The arcuate side face 96 of the outerrecess portion 92 arcs away from the third recess side face 72 such thatthe width of the outer recess portion 92 proximate to the open end 95 isgreater than the width of the outer recess portion 92 proximate to theinner recess portion 91. The arc of the arcuate side face 96 correspondsto the arcuate movement of the tab 61 relative to the respective lidside wall 22,23 as the lid 17 is rotated between its ‘open’ and ‘closed’position. As the lid 17 is rotated into its ‘closed’ position, the tabis guided into the inner recess portion 91 by the outer recess portion92. It will be understood that the inner and outer recess portions 91,92may have different dimensions dependent on the positioning of the tab61.

Further, in this embodiment the length of the recesses 68 are determinedsuch that the tab 61 locates in the inner recess portion 91 when the lidis rotated into its ‘closed’ position. Subsequently, when the lid is inits ‘closed’ position, each tab 61 locates against the recess base 69and urges thereagainst.

One advantage of the above embodiment is that it allows the outer recessportion 92 to act as a guide for a corresponding tab 61 such that thetab 61 properly locates in the respective inner recess portion 91, whenthe lid 17 is closed. Further, it reduces any noise produced when thetab 61 locates in the inner recess portion 91 as the lid 17 is closed.

Although in the above exemplary embodiment the outer recess portion 92is shown to have an arcuate recess side face 96, it will be understoodby a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limitedthereto, and that the arcuate recess side face 96 may be formed to havea straight edge which extends at an angle from the first side face ofthe first recess portion 91 to the open end 95, such that the width ofthe outer recess portion 91 at the open end 95 is greater than the widthof the outer recess portion 92 proximate to the inner recess portion 91.

Another exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference toFIGS. 18 and 19. It is noted that the outer and inner shells 1,2 aregenerally the same as those described in the above exemplary embodimentsand so further description of these will be omitted herein, however, inthis embodiment the upper ends of the inner shell front and side walls33,34,35 are different.

In this exemplary embodiment, the inner shell 2 comprises a cut-outportion 98 formed from the inner shell front wall 33 and extendstherealong, and slice portions 99,100 of the upper ends of the innershell front wall 33 extending from the cut-out portion 98 and extendingacross upper ends 101 of each inner shell side wall 34,35. Each sliceportion 99,100 reduces the height of the inner shell front and sidewalls 33,34,35 proximate to the front wall 33 such that the upper endsof the inner shell front and side walls 33,34,35 do not impact the lid17 as the lid 17 is rotated between its ‘open’ and ‘closed’ positions.Therefore, the interference between the lid 17 and the inner shell 2 isreduced or eliminated when the lid 17 is rotated between its ‘open’ and‘closed’ positions.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the aboveembodiment, wherein the inner shell 2 features slice portions 99,100which reduce or eliminate the interference between the inner shell 2 andthe lid 17, may be used in conjunction with any of the other embodimentsof the invention described herein. Although in each of the abovedescribed exemplary embodiments a pair of tabs are utilised, oneextending on each side of the inner shell front wall, the invention isnot limited thereto and a tab may be formed on only one side of theinner shell front wall. Alternatively, a plurality of tabs may be formedto extend from each side of the inner shell front wall to locate in aplurality of slots formed in the inner face of the lid side wall.

Further, although tabs are shown in the exemplary embodiments to extendsideways from the edge of the front wall of the inner shell, theinvention is not limited thereto and the tabs may projectperpendicularly from the face of the sidewalls of the inner shell distalfrom the fold lines 36,37. Additionally, in the above exemplaryembodiments the hinged-lid packet is formed from an inner and outershell wherein the tabs are formed on the inner shell, in an alternativeembodiment the tabs may be formed on an outer shell.

Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may bemade to the above exemplary embodiment that lie within the scope of theinvention, as defined in the following claims.

1. A package for smoking articles, comprising: a body; and a lidhingedly connected to the body forming an enclosed space defined by thebody when the lid is closed, the lid including an end portion and a sidewall extending from the end portion that overlaps a side face of thebody when closed, wherein a recess is formed in the side wall and a tabextends from said side face, such that the tab contacts the side wall inwhich the recess is formed when the lid is pivoted towards its closedposition, the tab locating in the recess in the side wall when theclosed position is reached.
 2. The package according to claim 1, whereinthe side wall and the tab are configured such that the side wall isresiliently deformed by the tab when the tab and the side wall cooperatewith each other.
 3. The package according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall and the tab are configured such that the tab is resilientlydeformed by the side wall when the tab and the side wall cooperate witheach other.
 4. The package according to claim 1, wherein the side walllies in a plane extending perpendicular to an axis about which the lidrotates.
 5. The package according to claim 4, wherein the side wallcomprises outer and inner layers.
 6. The package according to claim 5,wherein the recess is defined by a cut-out formed in the inner layer. 7.The package according to claim 6, wherein the cut-out extends along oneedge of the side wall.
 8. The package according to claim 7, wherein theside wall has a first edge that extends from the end portion, thecut-out being formed along a second edge transverse to the first edge.9. The package according to claim 8, wherein a front wall extends fromthe second edge, the front wall being substantially perpendicular to theside wall and the end portion.
 10. The package according to claim 6,wherein the side wall has a free edge, said cut-out being open ended andextending to said free edge.
 11. The package according to claim 10,wherein the cut-out comprises first and second portions, the secondportion comprising a side face configured to guide the tab from saidfree edge to the first portion of the cut-out.
 12. The package accordingto claim 11, wherein the side face is arcuate.
 13. The package accordingto claim 6, wherein the side wall has a free edge, said cut-outextending towards said free edge but terminating short thereof.
 14. Thepackage according to claim 1, wherein the tab extends from one edge ofthe face of the body.
 15. The package according to claim 1, wherein thetab extends transversely from said face of the body.
 16. The packageaccording to claim 1, wherein the tab comprises a pair of tab portionsseparated by a cut.
 17. The package according to claim 16, wherein thetab portions and the recess are configured such that, when the lid is inthe closed position, one tab portion locates in the recess and the othertab portion cooperates with an inner surface of the side wall.
 18. Thepackage according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises an inner shelland an outer shell, the inner shell being received in the outer shelland the tab extending from the inner shell such that, when the lid isclosed, the side wall overlaps the inner shell.
 19. The packageaccording to claim 18, wherein the inner shell comprises a front walland at least one side wall, a portion of the front wall and the at leastone side wall being cut away such that interference between the innershell and the lid is reduced when the lid is opened of closed.
 20. Thepackage according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a pair ofopposing walls extending from opposing edges of the end portion thatoverlap corresponding opposing faces of the body when closed, whereineach wall has a recess formed therein and a tab extends from each face,such that, when the lid is closed, the tabs locate in said recesses. 21.The package according to claim 1 containing smoking articles.